Mitali Perkins's Blog, page 34

3 Excellent Border-Crossing MG/YA Books for 2011

In a poignant, funny, and unforgettable middle-grade novel called Inside Out and Back Again (HarperCollins, March 2011), Thanhha Lai remembers how her family escaped Vietnam before the fall of Saigon. American and Vietnamese characters alike leap to life through the voice and eyes of a ten-year-old girl—a protagonist so strong, loving, and vivid I longed to hand her a wedge of freshly cut papaya. This tenderly told tale transports readers to the time immediately after the Vietnam War and  sheds light on the life of young people displaced by war.



Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy (Scholastic, January 2011) is the perfect example of why we can't set up apartheid-like rules in the realm of fiction. The author is a white guy writing from the point of view of an Afhani girl, crossing fairly significant borders of race and power to tell this story. But thanks to the diligent use of an empathetic imagination and an ability to listen, Reedy's middle-grade novel opens windows into a world we can't visit otherwise. As Katherine Paterson puts it in her introduction to this heartwrenching debut novel, you'll never read the news about contemporary Afghanistan again without remembering that you have a friend there—a girl named Zulaikha with whom you hoped and suffered and rejoiced and prayed.



Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams (Little Brown, July 2011) is a gripping page-turner, a tribute to the unifying power of sport, and a heart-stirring window into the life of a teen refugee in South Africa. Even reluctant readers will tear through this book, worrying about Deo, cheering for him, and hoping that he'll find a way to survive. This young adult novel will inspire hospitality for the alien and stranger in the heart of every reader. I couldn't wait until it comes out to start spreading the buzz.

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In Which Skype Takes Me To School Without Walls

I've been enjoying an increasing number of Skype visits into classrooms and libraries this year, during which I sit in my study and chat with students hailing from all corners of the country ... and sometimes the world.



For example, here are some thank-you notes from exchange students studying at the School Without Walls in D.C. (published with permission, sic). When do adult writers of fiction get to (a) converse virtually with such a savvy, global group of readers, and (b) receive fabulous notes like these? If you wonder why I prefer writing for young people, read on.

Dear Mitali,



I wanted to thank you for the Skype conversation. It was amazing to talk with the author of the book that we had to read. Thank for gave us a little bit of your time, it was such a great experience.



I really liked the book and the story. I have learned a lot about Burma, a country that I absolutely did not know before, and what is going on over there. The story was well imagined and I really enjoyed reading Bamboo People.



So, I hope you will have another book soon, and hopefully we could have another skype conversation. Thank you.



Sincerely,



Loots L. (Belgium)



Dear Mitali,



I would like to thank you for taking the time to Skype with me and answer the questions I had about your book. It was really a unique chance to talk to the author of a book.



I really enjoyed reading the book, especially because you wrote the book from two points of view. It gave a good look on how the two boys crossed each other's path, how they hated each other but changed their mind in the end. I look forward to read more of your books and hope I can talk to you again.



Yours truly,



Jef (Belgium)



Dear Mitali,



First of all, I will like to Thank you for the Skype chat, for give me part of your time to interview you and to get to know you more. You are a very outgoing person and also really nice.



Thank you too for create this amazing book—Bamboo People—because like you say, this book have some parts of your life and that's what it makes it interesting for us too. You are a great writer because me, like an exchange student, I understand every word in your book, what also make it really good for international distribution. Congratulations for that and I'm so happy and excited waiting for your next book, in that way I won't stop the contact with you in any moment.



For closing, because I think I'm writing to much; I say thank you again for give me your precious time and for respond my questions about your amazing book. I hope don't lose the contact with you and also keep reading your creations.



Regards,



Paulina (Chile)



Dear Mitali Perkins:



I really want to tell you the book you make was a really good book, but the same time was hard for me to understand. I was really interested thanks for making this book.



i really am the person who doesn't like to read at all. My mom pays me to read books but when i start to read your book everything changed, so be proud of this book you made. I think am going to by one and bring the book to my country. Well, thanks for talk to us I really appreciate that, don't lose your contact. Love you.



From: your best Dominican friend, Tracy lol



Dear Ms. Mitali Perkins:



I hope you remember me, I am Adrian from Paraguay, I met you in the Skype chat days ago, I just felt inside me that I have to write an thanks e-mail to thank you for the time that you spent with us answering our questions and doubts last day. It was a real pleasure, that I never had, the experience of meeting an author of a book that I really like.I will be waiting for a new release of a book, I can say that you won a fan.



Best regards,



Adrian (Paraguay)



Dear Mitali,



Hello. This is Na from South Korea. I was glad to meet you on Skype chat discussing about your amazing book Bamboo People. You were so kind and friendly that I felt like we had met before. Thank you for sharing your precious lunch time with us. It would be one of the unforgettable moments I spent in United States of America as an exchange student.



Now I am regretting of not being brave enough to ask every single question I wanted to ask. My favorite part of the book was the connection between two boys from opposite sides of the country politically and geographically. Showing both points of view makes me understand what is going on in Burma(Myanmar) much easier. Also, the touching stories of two boys love for their family and friends made me unable to stop reading the book. Enjoying my first American Thanksgiving day eating cookies with reading the book was fun! If I had chance, I would love to ask you about who is your favorite character and what is your favorite part of your book. Tureh? Chiko? Both characters were too charming to choose one for me. How about you as the creator of these amazing boys? In addition, you mentioned the Lord of the Rings as one of the motivations of Chiko. Lord of the ring was one of my favorite fantasy stories. Is there any personal reason of using that book as a source for Chiko? When I read the part about it, I was so excited to read that part.



Reading the book thinking about what I would want to ask the actual author was very unique and valuable experience. Thank you again for giving me this kind of incredible moment. I have never imagined about actually talking with the author in my life. When will you start your next book? As a lover of your previous book Bamboo People, I am already looking forward to reading your new book!! It was extremely nice to see you. Bye.



Sincerely,



Na (South Korea)



Dear Ms. Perkins,



I want to thank you for the skype chat, I really appreciate it, it was really cool to talk to an author of a book that I read. I really enjoyed the book.



It was really nice of you, that you could talk to us about your book and that you could answer our questions. That just shows that you are a nice person and that you are willing to talk to you readers!



Best wishes,



Thor (Iceland)



Dear Mitali,



It was good talk with you in Skype and in the same time enjoy that together, i hope that you are enjoyed the time with us and also thanks for explain us a little bit about your amazing book.



The Book is very good, it's fun, nice and in the same time interesting . For example i learn about Burma in the book ,because i never listen before talk about that, but now i fell like i know everything, and Chiko, he is a fantastic guy he has a lot of adventures and how he live the life. And how he can compare the life with other guy, how is older than him and he nows more than him, i mean is fantastic.



Well thank you for give us your time to answer our questions and i hope talk with you soon, and enjoy your other book's together.



Sincerely,



Andrea (Bolivia)



Dear Mitali,



I am very happy that I had the opportunity to talk to you via Skype about your incredible book Bamboo People. I want to share with you that it was the first English language book that I read in the United States. I enjoyed your enthusiasm and the attention that you gave to our group. I appreciated the fact that you were patient and answered all of my questions.



I felt that your book was well written and tells a fascinating story between the two boys in Burma, you show how people can unify and come together to have a happy ending. For sure I will suggest it to my friends and I will be waiting anxiously for your next book.



Thank you for sharing a little bit of your life with me and telling me about your trips and the fun things that you did and want to do. I hope in the future we will be able to talk again and you write more great books like Bamboo People.



Sincerely,



Brisa (Brazil)

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Thank You, Independent Booksellers!

Returned home from winter break to delightful news: Bamboo People is shortlisted as a Book of the Year finalist in the Young Adult Novel category of the 2011 Indies Choice Awards . Here are the nominees (in alphabetical order):



Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins (Charlesbridge)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (HarperCollins)
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (Knopf)
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum)
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (Delacorte)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan (Dutton)


And, as if that's not enough, I'm a finalist in the "Most Engaging Author" category, given to an "author who is an in-store star with a strong sense of the importance of indie booksellers to the community."



Don't know about the first part of the description, but the second is certainly true: I'd be nowhere as an author were it not for my indies. Being in the company of the other nominees is a huge part of this honor: Laurie Halse Anderson, Jonathan Evison, Kevin Henkes, Richard Russo, and Terry Tempest Williams.



Thank you, thank you, thank you, independent booksellers, a national treasure. May you live long and prosper!

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SECRET KEEPER, Indian Style

I'm excited to share a new cover of Secret Keeper , coming at the end of March 2011 from HarperCollins India :





To refresh your memories, this was the US cover from Random House:





Any preferences?

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We Proudly Present: The Story of First Book

The Story of First Book from First Book on Vimeo .



This was filmed at ALA last June, and I was so honored to be a part of it. First Book provides books (including my Rickshaw Girl , First Daughter: White House Rules , and Monsoon Summer ) to children in need. Here's how they do it:

If you're an educator or program administrator, and at least 50 percent of the children in your program come from low-income families, we can help. Eligible programs receive access to the First Book Marketplace, offering new books at 50 to 90 percent off retail prices. And if you serve a higher proportion of children in need — 80 percent or more — then your school or program may also be eligible for free books through the First Book National Book Bank and book grants through First Book's local Advisory Boards. To access these resources, complete our simple online registration (It only takes a few minutes).

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Help Wanted: Race Jargon For Kid/YA Books

Is my protagonist a ...

Person of color?


Asian-American?


Asian (no hyphen) American?


Brown?


South Asian American?


Bengali-American?


Desi?


Non-white?


A minority?


Multicultural?
WHAT THE HECK IS SHE?



(WHAT THE HECK AM I? Who cares? Most of North America.)



Please help: How do you define yourself by race in America today and why?

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Available: Virtual Mentors for Children's Book Authors

If you're a writer of children's and YA books and a "person of color" (Gosh, how I hate race-related jargon ... nothing seems just right, ever) looking to improve your craft and learn more about the children's publishing industry, you may apply to be mentored for free by established writers through the newly-launched Patchwork Collective . This brilliant effort is spearheaded by my dear friend Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich , author of 8th GRADE SUPERZERO , one of my favorite new books.

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MARE'S WAR Makeover: Do You Love It?

Mia Cabana, astute young adult librarian and YALSA blogger , shares the new paperback cover for Tanita S. Davis ' award-winning novel, MARE'S WAR , anticipating increased circulation. Booksellers, librarians, what do you guys think (new cover is below the original)?

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DAY OF AHMED'S SECRET: A Picture Book For Egypt

With all eyes on Cairo, Egypt today, here's a book written some years ago (1995) that might help us introduce the city to children, followed by links to some discussion guides. Any suggestions for new titles of fiction set in contemporary Egypt?



DAY OF AHMED'S SECRET

by Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide Gillilan

Illustrated by Ted Lewin

HarperCollins, 1995

ISBN: 0-590-45029-8



Browse inside this book



From Publishers Weekly: In this admirable introduction to life in an alien culture, readers are whisked to the busy streets of Cairo—where young Ahmed is making his daily rounds on a donkey cart, delivering large canisters of butane gas. The city is presented through his eyes, and text and illustration work together in harmony to produce a sense of place so vivid that readers can almost hear the cry of vendors in the crowded marketplace and feel the heat rising from the streets. On this particular day, Ahmed carries a secret with him (he has learned to write his name in Arabic), one children will enjoy trying to guess. The authors have produced fluid prose, and Lewin's sensitive, luminous watercolors hint at the mystery and timelessness of this exotic city. Ages 6-9.



Teaching About Egypt: Ideas from Bernadette Simpson

Homeschool Lesson Plan

Classroom Lesson Plan

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How does life in THE SHALLOWS affect the imagination?

You know I'm a social media aficionado .



I've been blogging since 2005 .



It's uncomfortable to admit for some reason, but I'm online for hours each day (except Sundays, when I strive to be screen-and-plug-free), surfing, reading, shopping, booking travel, doing research, answering email, playing Scramble or WordTwist, stalking friends and family on Facebook.



One begins to wonder how this activity affects a writer's brain.



In his newest book, THE SHALLOWS, Nicholas Carr presents a brilliant case based on the latest neurological research: the Internet is rewiring our brains, and it's not good news for the future of imaginative, deep work. Wired magazine provides a good summary of Carr's argument. Here's an excerpt:

There's nothing wrong with absorbing information quickly and in bits and pieces. We've always skimmed newspapers more than we've read them, and we routinely run our eyes over books and magazines to get the gist of a piece of writing and decide whether it warrants more thorough reading. The ability to scan and browse is as important as the ability to read deeply and think attentively. The problem is that skimming is becoming our dominant mode of thought. Once a means to an end, a way to identify information for further study, it's becoming an end in itself—our preferred method of both learning and analysis. Dazzled by the Net's treasures, we are blind to the damage we may be doing to our intellectual lives and even our culture. What we're experiencing is, in a metaphorical sense, a reversal of the early trajectory of civilization: We are evolving from cultivators of personal knowledge into hunters and gatherers in the electronic data forest. In the process, we seem fated to sacrifice much of what makes our minds so interesting.

I can see this in my own life. My thinking is more scattered and shallow, and my writing online  comes in short bits and pieces. Now that I tweet and write status updates, it's  harder to compose longer blog posts. This is scary, especially since I'm in the business of creating long, imaginative works of fiction. 



To write his own book, Carr confesses that he had to detach himself painfully from his Net addiction. I'm going to have to do the same. I've always tried to take Sabbath days once a week, staying away from screens and plugs on Sundays, but the time has come to preserve and nourish the depth of my imagination with a more proactive approach. How about you?



We're not Luddites—we love the Net for it's wealth of community and information, and will continue to use it, but we need to give our brains space to rest, reflect, contemplate, learn, and dream. Got any ideas, habits, or practices that work for you? Interested in joining me in 2011 in an effort to keep our Net use within limits? Leave a comment below with a plan or idea, fellow addicts. I need your help.

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